Improvement in drinking-fountains



J. REID. Drinking-Poflfitain.

No. 203,941. Patented May 21. 1s7s.,..

N. PEPE-RS. FHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' JOHN REID, OF GRESTLINE, 01110.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRINKING-FOUNTAINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 203,941, dated May 21, 1878',- application filed March 28, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN REID, of Crestline, in the county of Crawford and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Self Acting Hydrant Drinking Fountain, which is fully described in the following specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is a vertical section.

The object of my invention is to furnish a device for watering cattle, and for similar purposes; and consists of a trough having a chamber in connection therewith, in which is placed a float that is connected to a lever for operating a valve in a hydrant located, beneath the trough, in avault underthe ground a suitable depth, out of reach of the frost.

In the drawing, A is a trough, which may beof wood, stone, or any other suitable material. It is represented as having two or more chambers or compartments, all" connected, however, at the bottom, and provided with an outlet for drawing off water if desired. In one end of said trough is provided a separate chamber or compartment, B, for a float. Said float consists of a hollow cylinder, 0, having a tube, 0, through the center.

Through said tube is also fixed a rod, D,

which passes down through the bottom of the trough. It also reaches up. through a cover over the aforesaid chamber B, and is surmounted with a knob. The said rod D plays up and down through a tube or sleeve, d, fixed in the center of the chamber.

Underneath trough A is a vault, E, in the bottom of which is set apipe or barrel, F, connected with a mainwater-supplypipe. Within said barrel is placed a valve-rod, G, carrying a bottom valve, g, having its seat against a shoulder in the barrel for that purpose. The upper end of the valve-rod has a head, H, between which and the top of the barrel is interposed a spiral spring, h, which, together with the pressure of the water below the valve, keeps the valve closed. To an arm, I, .on the side of the barrel is pivoted a lever, J, which rests upon the head H of the valve-rod G, and is connected to the lower end of the float-rodD. From the lever J is also suspended a weight, K, the object of which is to regulate the power of the float on the valve. At the side of the barrel rises a pipe, L, turned, with a goose-neck at the top, for discharge into the trough.

The operation of this apparatus is as follows: The trough being filled to a certain height, as may be desired, the float will be upbuoyed by the water. Now, when the water is lowered in the trough, the float falls, and by its weight depresses the lever, thus opening the valve. The water again runs, raising the water in the trough, the float is again lifted, and the valve closed. By this method the apparatus is made automatic.

The length of the lever and the size and weight of the float are so arranged that whenever the water is lowered in the trough it will be sufficient to overcome the force of the water under the valve.

By pressing on the knob with the hand a person can hold a cup under the goose-neck and draw a cupof water for drinking.

Having described my invention, I claim In combination with the trough A, the floatchamber B, float G, with its rod D, the lever J, barrel F, arm I, valve-rod G and valve 9, spring h, weight K, and discharge-pipe L, all constructed andv arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN REID.

Witnesses:

D. M. L. HASSINGER, DAN.-- BABs'r, Jr. 

